Boulder County, CO Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)
Tiny home rules in Boulder County, CO, covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds, determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Key Facts
- No tiny-home category
- Regulated as dwelling/ADU
- On foundation
- Permit + setbacks + OWTS required
- Tiny house on wheels/RV
- Not a permanent residence
- RV/MH parks
- Only in licensed MH/RV parks
- Governing code
- BCLUC Art. 4 + Building Code
Summary
Boulder County has no separate tiny-home category. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is regulated as a dwelling or accessory dwelling under the Land Use Code and building code; a tiny house on wheels or an RV is not an approved permanent residence outside a licensed manufactured/RV park. Manufactured
General Requirements. All manufactured homes must be installed using methods and practices which minimize flood damage.
Full Breakdown
The unincorporated county's residences are governed by the Land Use Code and Boulder County Building Code. A site-built or modular tiny house on a permanent foundation is treated like any dwelling or accessory dwelling: it needs a building permit, must meet the district's setbacks and Residential Floor Area limits, and must connect to an adequately sized onsite wastewater system. A tiny house on wheels or a recreational vehicle is not recognized as a permanent dwelling except in a licensed Manufactured Home Park (MH District) or RV park; living in an RV on private land as a residence is not an approved use. Manufactured homes must be installed using county-approved methods and, in floodplains, meet elevation standards.
Violations & Fines
Living in a tiny house on wheels or an RV as a residence outside a licensed park is a zoning violation; the county may issue notices, require the unit be removed or permitted, and assess fines under Article 4-1300.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I live in a tiny house on my land in the county?
Is living in an RV on my property allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado accessory structures overview
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